Homeless Crowding Into State

Study: 60% More Call Florida Home Since '85

Ruined by financial disaster or drawn to the state for warmth and opportunity, the ranks of Florida's homeless people have increased nearly 60 percent since 1985, according to a new state study.

The profile, released Thursday by the state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, estimates 16,000 to 20,000 homeless people are in the state on any given day. A 1985 study by HRS put the number at 10,000 to 14,000.

Although the population has grown, its makeup has changed little in the past four years, the study says.

''The two significant areas were the growth in homelessness among families and what we call the 'new homeless,' '' said Bill Hanson, a coordinator of the study that began after the Legislature last year asked that the 1985 figures be updated. Twenty private coalitions that assist the poor helped compile the study.

In 1985, 30 percent of the state's homeless were families. Now families make up 35 percent to 40 percent of all homeless. Half the families are headed by single parents - often mothers who are victims of domestic violence, the study said.

The new homeless, those on the street because of money problems rather than preference or indifference, constitute 60 percent of the total group. In 1985, Hanson said, the new homeless were thought to make up less than 50 percent of the total.

Officials also learned that:

- Half of Florida's homeless are believed to be local people, while about 33 percent come from other states because of ''perceived economic opportunities and warm climate.''

- Thirty-four percent may be mentally ill, addicted to alcohol or drugs such as crack cocaine, and their health or dependency probably put them on the streets. And 18 percent may be former patients at mental health facilities.

- Seven percent of the homeless are teen-age runaways.

The study partly blamed the homeless increase on poor wages for unskilled workers, and a shortage of affordable, suitable housing; family break-ups because of divorce or desertion, or spouse and child abuse; and personal choice.

''It's very difficult to find an apartment that's decent living for under $300, which means that you need about $1,000 in hand'' for first and last months' rents, deposits and utilities, said Sister Julie Sullivan of the Coalition for the Homeless of Orlando Inc., which links 14 social service groups in Orange County.

HRS is to make recommendations to the Legislature in June on ways to address the problem - after legislators end the 1989 session, Hanson said.

In 1987, two years after the HRS made its last study, the Legislature began to address the situation.

Most important were direction and funding for a statewide network of coalitions for the homeless, and a $1 million appropriation for one-time grants to poor people trying to raise money for apartment rentals. That $1 million was matched by federal funds.

The $2 million pool was depleted in three months, Hanson said. Lawmakers increased the stakes for 1988, giving $8 million to rental help.

In addition to state funding, which climbed from nothing in 1986 to $5.1 million in 1988, the federal government since 1987 has funneled $24 million into state, local and private coffers.

But that money has arrived in bits and pieces through 14 federal programs administered by eight agencies, Hanson said.

Beth Sackstein, president of the Dade Coalition for the Homeless in Miami, said her organization this year received its first state grant - $14,000.

''We're not satisfied that this is enough,'' she said. ''Homelessness is an overwhelming problem. The numbers prove there's a problem, and there's a lack of adequate programs.''

Asked whether homelessness demands more attention, state Rep. Frank Stone, R-Casselberry, said, ''It's something we haven't really taken a hard look at in past years. We kind of took a Band-aid approach last year. I'm surprised we're taking a year off.''

But neither is Stone comfortable with heavily subsidizing the homeless.

''Do you make the entire area so attractive to the homeless that you get the entire national problem? It's a Catch-22,'' he said. ''I'm a firm believer that, especially in Central Florida, if you want to work, it's there.

''You may not get to be president of a company, but you can go into almost any fast-food restaurant in Central Florida and find work.''